Letters to the Editor

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:45pm

On the right mountain path

What a beautiful piece of journalism and photography in your "Counter Culture" article [The City Paper, Feb. 8]. The graphic pictures of the "sit-in" at Woolworth's lunch counter speaks volumes about the pervasive discrimination and impending civil right's movement.

I forget who said it, but, "there is nothing more powerful than an idea who's time has come." Dr. Martin Luther King ushered in that idea.

I remember growing up in Detroit [and seeing] a drinking fountain with a sign that said, "White" and a smaller nozzle that said, "Black." In 1967, during the race riots, my parents told us kids to get to the basement because "the Negroes are coming." We also had air raid siren drills in school, hiding under our desks, because of "the Russians."

Now, fast forward to the O.J. Simpson trial. Even though I knew he committed the murders, I wanted him found "not guilty," so Los Angeles would not burn again [like] after the Rodney King verdict.

Today, with Barack Obama in the nation's highest office, I believe we've evolved, matured, and become more tolerant of each other as people — respecting cultural individuality and embracing our differences.

I don't know if America has reached Dr. King's promised land, but we're sure on the right mountain and headed in the right direction.

261 Comments on this post:

"In 1967, during the race riots,my parents told us kids to get to the basement because "the Negroes are coming."

You said previously you were black. Were you lying then or now?

By:bfra on 2/10/10 at 5:49

Very well written letter, as usual D7 and one that a lot of people could learn from.

Not to distract from your letter, but this AM yesterday's letter is still up and next to the last post is pathetic. Hard to believe someone that claims to be an adult would post something this immature:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
By: sidneyames on 2/9/10 at 6:02
"titty"

A word I hate to hear, read or type. Please stop using it or I will stop joining you on this post.

Right! ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,. Who will see this last? They will be the first person to use the word of the day.

Can't wait.

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 6:12

idgaf: You are either senile, stupid, or both. When did I ever say I was "black"?
Because I'm from Detroit you assumed it?
And the race riots in '67 destroyed everything, black or white, like the L.A. riots after Rodney King.
And, are you so jaded and blind you take from my LTE I'm playing the "race card"?
You are one pathetic individual.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 6:16

Duck & cover...

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 7:14

Good morning, Nashville.

Another fine LTE, Paul. We never had Jim Crow and segregation in Western New York, but racism existed in more subtle forms. There were no blacks in the tiny schoolhouse that I went to, K-8. Whie, Polish Catholics only.

I wonder how far we have progressed. Sure, we have a black man in the White House; but he is despised by those who voted for McCain and Palin...that's almost half of the country.

In Israel, our closest military ally (according to the Israel lobby), President Obama's popularity is by far the lowest for any US President in the history of that nation. The NYT reported something like 4% of Israelis approve of Obama. I doubt if the Israelis will wait until 2012 to see Obama removed from the scene...they see him as an existential threat....his days are probably numbered.

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 7:23

Loner: I think we've "progressed" as far as we are going to. Maybe Obama in the WH is the pinnacle. The reverse discrimination against "white's" is now moving toward equalization with "affirmative action". I do believe we're in the middle.
Today, it's every man, woman, child standing on their own two feet. I have spoken.

By:Funditto on 2/10/10 at 7:46

Now if only D7 would go a little bit further up the mountain and quit calling everyone who lives in his newly chosen hometown a bunch of dumb hillbillies.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 7:51

Loner, it's the "subtle racism" that you gotta watch out for.

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 7:57

I never called anyone in Nashville "dumb hillbillies". I said maybe there's a link between Tenn. placing 44th out of 50 states in "brains", and to maybe consider buying more snow removal equiptment and salt.
But, I guess "Guns 'N Bars" is more important?

Why not continue your nit-pickin' on Sid, which you're good at?

By:Funditto on 2/10/10 at 8:01

Oh D7, you know that's not true!!!!! On many occassions you've blasted people here for their choice of topic, the fact that they haven't written letters, etc. I'm not nit-pickin', I'm just pointing out that maybe we haven't come quite as far as you think.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 8:03

Honkey fight!!

By:FreedomJournal on 2/10/10 at 8:26

I SEE A BRIGHTER DAY
(22 December 2009, Rock Place by Carl A. Patton)

Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. I would imagine and so would so many other saints that have long gone that “going home” is the greatest joy that one could have. However, the Light still shines on this side, but the further we go the brighter it gets.

I felt the spirit as my service
was over and I realized the whole
earth came at His touch. These
were days in the past now and gone.

Meanwhile as the conversion
continued I also witnessed healing.
The people of the world only saw
healing in physical things.

But John came stricken in a
sweet measure by spiritual things.
He also had power over his healing.
As he became healed aided by the,

Holy Ghost he peeped and reached
into his body as his soul stayed with
the Spirit. Meanwhile there were no
dark, gloomy or cloudy days.

Some days the sun stayed home but
my heart was filled with sunshine. Dark
days never lasted or survived as the Light
was always on.

This insured the brighter days that cometh
and Peace and Paradise.

Peace and Paradise,
Dr. Carl A. Patton writing for the FreedomJournal Press 18 January 2010 in the year of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

By:gdiafante on 2/10/10 at 8:32

Save that crap for Sunday...

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 8:37

Fun: The 1st post is from some guy who says I'm hiding the fact I'm really a "black" man, or I once claimed to be "black" or deny I'm really "black". Then you chime in with I think Nashville is rampant with "hillbillies", the dumb type.

Look at all the school closings today....then look at MD, WA, NY, and see 10' of snow and why those states close their schools. There's NO snow in Nashville and they're closing schools. I think kids had two days of school in the past two weeks.
Teachers cannot "make up" for the missed classroom days. They have to skip that "lesson".

Keeping up with "Sid's" nonsense is a full time job on this board. You doggin' me for the past 3 months is too much absurdity. Pick on Nemo. He's a hell of a lot nicer than me.

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 8:37

As my dear and departed daddy used to say, "Fight, nice kids."

Back at the Java Junction...the usual crowd is here. Woody is working on a new video. The "old boys" table of eleders is still here; some retired college profs, a lawyer or two and a couple of country squires....they always greet me, but seldom ask me my opinion on any issues; that's probably a good thing.

Here's a heads up on a breaking story here in the Empire State. Seems that our Governor, a blind, black guy is under attack for "womanizing" and "drugs". Some Democratic leaders want Paterson to step aside and not run for election - remember, he is Governor by default. Spitzer resigned under a cloud - Mr. Clean was found to be filthy.

Watch for Paterson to play the race card to cover his tracks....if there are any tracks to cover.

Junior Ford thought that NY was some sort of race-neutral utopia...what a fool. In this state, ethnicity counts for much. The mayor of NY, Mike Bloomberg, is Jewish and we have what is affectionately known as the "Jewish seat", in the US Senate, now occupied by Chuck Schumer . Ex-Governot, Elliot Spitzer, of course, is Jewish, Paterson was the token, black, blind, Gentile, Lt. Gov.

Bloomberg's campaign ads in the Jerusalem post referred to NYC as the world's largest Jewish City.....I'm not making this stuff up.

I would not give a rat's @ss about the ethnicity or religion of any of these fellows, if it were not for the "US-Israel Special Relationship" factor. Do these American lawmakers have a dual allegiance conflict of interest? It's a legitimate question that few dare to ask.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 8:37

Save it for the pulpit.

By:Dragon on 2/10/10 at 8:38

Not sure why Paul wanted Simpson to be found "not guilty". Better to let a murderer free than suffer race riots? So much for equality of skin color.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 8:42

Loner, over at another site this morning, someone posted that God would only protect America as long as we protect Israel. To stop supporting them would bring about the end of the world.

By:gdiafante on 2/10/10 at 8:45

The end of the world is already at hand...the Saints won the Super Bowl.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 8:48

Then I guess it's a good thing that Carl Patton is ready to "go home", gd.

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 8:55

Drag: I lived in San Diego during the Rodney King riots. Also, was in San Diego for the OJ verdict. People who owned storefronts put signs out, "Black Owned" hoping the rioters wouldn't burn and loot their business.

gdia: The Saints winning isn't the sign of the end. It's the Lion's getting the 1st round draft pick, choosing Tebow, is the start of Armagedon.

By:gdiafante on 2/10/10 at 8:58

Darg, you seem to be everywhere there's a riot...maybe it's you?

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:00

House, the born-agains are useful idiots for Zionism.

What exactly is Zionism? An Austrian intellectual wrote a pamphlet entitled "Der Judenstaat", in 1896. His name was Theodor Herzl. His idea of a reconstituted Jewish homeland in Palestine caught on with Jews as well as Jew-haters looking to dump their unwanted Jewish citizens. Herzl is known as the father of Zionism.

Like Dass Kapital, Mein Kampf and other manifestos, Der Judenstaat was well-intentioned, but fatally flawed. We are now seeing the perversion of Herzl's vision. He never envisioned a nuclear-armed pariah state, continually at war and supported by benefactor states. Herzl's noble dream did not include apartheid walls and Jim Crow for Arab Israelis.

No, Israel is not working out as advertised. We need a new paradigm, but don't hold your breath, House.

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:04

Tebow, the Christian, is now in the Lions den? He'll need a name change...I suggest "Daniel".

In the Coliseum, the Romans threw Christians to the lions. Today, the Christians go to the stadium to play with the lions for millions of dollars. We've come a long way since the days of the sword and sandal. oy!

I find it hard to believe that someone who uses such endearing terms as "tards" & "Negroes" could be the cause of civil unrest...

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:15

I tried to use the word "negro" in a USA Today forum, a red-lettered warning came on the screen, "negro" is not acceptable...this is "N"-word creep, IMO. The United Negro College Fund is now self-loathing? This is ludicrous.

I have seen Google disclaimers appear when certain combinations of search words are used...slowly, but surely, PC is creeping into your PC....worming its way into your Apple too.

The brave new world turns out to be not so brave after all.

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:20

Pastor Patton's online, newspaper-forum ministry is filling in for OY Harward today, thank you pastor for the sermon.

Pastor, how do you come down on the Arab/Israeli conflict?

By:Dragon on 2/10/10 at 9:21

Loner, you are not allowed to use the word "negro". Somehow, USA Today knows what color skin you have.

Should the NAACP change to the NAABP?

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 9:22

He seems to prefer the hit-and-run approach, Loner.
I believe he posted the same drivel on "post politics" yesterday.

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:27

The NAACP is also self-loathing, Dragon.

The US Census forms use the term "negro", last time I checked. I think that medical journals use the term as well. The term "old Negro spiritual" appears on reams of published sheet music, that will all have to be altered.

Guys like Amb. Negroponte may want to change their surnames.

By:gdiafante on 2/10/10 at 9:29

Just to counter Dr. Patton...

Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith

And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

I stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain

I rode a tank
Held a general's rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah

I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made

I shouted out,
"Who killed the Kennedys?"
When after all
It was you and me

Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reached Bombay

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game

Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint

So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, have some taste
(woo woo)
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, mmm yeah

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mmm yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mmm mean it, get down

Love,
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:31

I see.. a drive-by, online, newspaper-forum ministry....isn't that special?
Religionists eschew the scientific method, but eagerly sieze upon the fruits of the scientist's labor....these Bible-toting, nut-jobs are societal parasites, IMO.

By:Loner on 2/10/10 at 9:33

Well done, Gd.
Equal time is always a good idea.

Hey, gotta give up the seat......later!

By:Captain Nemo on 2/10/10 at 9:36

Paul I remember the sign for white and colored. I ask my parents why the color people were bad and had to drink from a different water cooler. Their answer was that they were not bad, just different. I suppose to them that was a good an answer as any.

It worked for me until I was an adult and started to ask good question about myself a life. Plus the fact I marred a good woman of compassion and understanding.

It is a good letter.

By:girliegirl on 2/10/10 at 9:40

We're quoting Mick Jagger and Keith Richards!

By:Captain Nemo on 2/10/10 at 9:41

My second good laugh of the morning.

By: gdiafante on 2/10/10 at 8:29
Just to counter Dr. Patton...

Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith

Loner: My literary celebral friend: I've written many posts over at the other horse trough, The Tennessean, lamenting about the "Gun's 'N Bars" fiasco, saying, "honkey-tonks" on Broadway, and the RED warning comes up, spanking me for using the word, "honkey". (like blacks use the word "honkey" anymore) But, it erases the entire post, so you have to start over. At least USA Today (Discus) will warn you 3x before they erase your forbidden post. Then come after your family.

By:house_of_pain on 2/10/10 at 9:58

Capt. Phil from Deadliest Catch has died from a stroke. RIP

By:dargent7 on 2/10/10 at 9:59

Cpt. Nemo & el Senora Nazi: I wish you guys would stop using the "code" to write posts and all the fancy initials...Nemo, you said Sid was a DOSAB yesterday.
I got the "son of a bitch" part, but what is the DO?
At this forum, talk like you're a 5th grader!

Nazix2: So far today, I've ben called a "black" man in denial, a "dumb hillbilly" hater, and now I slight the blind, or "sight impaired". I've got only 2 posts that liked the LTE.
The only silver lining is that "Sid" hasn't yet woken from her tomb to post that she has verifiable evidence I am in fact "black", and was born in Kenya. I just act "white" for attention.